Windsurf
AI-powered agentic code editor
Windsurf is an AI-powered IDE originally built by Codeium and now owned by Cognition AI, ranking #1 in LogRocket's AI Dev Tool Power Rankings as of early 2026. Its standout feature is Cascade, an agentic AI assistant that understands your codebase, suggests multi-file edits, runs terminal commands, and works alongside you as a coding partner.
Key Capabilities
Cascade is Windsurf's agentic AI assistant that plans multi-step edits, calls tools, and uses deep repository context for intelligent coding assistance. The platform supports terminal snippet workflows saved as reusable markdown commands, automatic lint fixing, and MCP (Model Context Protocol) support for 21 external tools. Windsurf's Memories feature enables codebase learning over time. The IDE is compatible with 9 desktop editors including VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, Visual Studio, Vim, Jupyter Notebook, Chrome, Eclipse, and Xcode.
Who Should Use Windsurf
Windsurf is designed for professional developers who want an AI-native IDE that goes beyond code completion to provide agentic assistance. It is particularly valuable for developers working on complex codebases who need multi-file editing capabilities, teams looking for a Cursor alternative at a lower price point, and developers who want AI that learns their codebase over time through the Memories feature.
Getting Started
Download Windsurf from windsurf.com and start with the free tier that includes 25 credits per month. Explore Cascade for agentic coding assistance, use autocomplete for fast code suggestions, and let Windsurf's Memories feature learn your codebase over time. Upgrade to Pro at $15/month for 500 monthly credits.
Pricing & Accessibility: The Free tier includes 25 credits per month. Pro costs $15/month with 500 credits. Teams is $30/user/month, and Enterprise is $60/user/month with Zero Data Retention (ZDR) defaults. Available across 9 desktop editor environments.
Why Consider Windsurf: Windsurf offers the most capable agentic AI coding experience at $15/month, undercutting Cursor while providing codebase learning through Memories and compatibility across 9 editor environments.
Pros
- Cascade agentic AI provides intelligent multi-file editing and planning
- Lower price than Cursor at $15/month for Pro
- Compatible with 9 desktop editors including VS Code and JetBrains
- Memories feature learns your codebase over time
- MCP support integrates with 21 external tools
Cons
- Free tier limited to just 25 monthly credits
- Now owned by Cognition AI, raising questions about long-term direction
- Credit-based system requires monitoring usage
Who is this for?
Agentic multi-file code editing and refactoring, codebase-aware AI coding assistance, automated lint fixing and code cleanup, reusable terminal workflow automation, AI-powered development across multiple editor environments
Frequently Asked Questions about Windsurf
How does Windsurf compare to Cursor?
Windsurf Pro costs $15/month versus Cursor Pro at $20/month, offering a more affordable entry point. Both provide agentic AI coding, but Windsurf's Cascade feature and Memories codebase learning differentiate it. Windsurf also supports more editor environments than Cursor.
What is Cascade in Windsurf?
Cascade is Windsurf's agentic AI assistant that can plan multi-step coding tasks, suggest edits across multiple files, run terminal commands, and use deep repository context to provide intelligent assistance. It goes beyond simple autocomplete to act as a coding partner.
Did Cognition AI acquire Windsurf?
Yes, Cognition AI (makers of Devin) acquired Windsurf (formerly Codeium) for approximately $250 million in December 2025. The acquisition combined Devin's autonomous agent capabilities with Windsurf's IDE-integrated AI assistance.
Pricing
freemium
$15/mo
Free tier: 25 credits per month
Details
APINo
Open SourceNo
CollaborationYes
LanguagesEnglish
Learning CurveEasy
Integrations
VS CodeJetBrainsNeovimVisual StudioVim+4 more
